CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor George Goking on Tuesday cited small businesses in city for their crucial role in the inclusive efforts to recover the economy amid the ongoing pandemic and the recent oil price increases.
“Because they (small businesses) operate locally, they create job opportunities with preference for local individuals, driving new job growth in a local town or city,” said Goking.
Goking, chairman of the committee on Trade and Commerce of the city council, said that the micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) must also need to stay connected, run their operations smoothly and cost-efficiently, and take advantage of new opportunities.
“The experienced increase in the price of petroleum products in the past week has led to a rise in the price of commodities too,” he said.
Goking even implied to the national government to study measures carefully to restore the country’s economy.
On Monday, he said, Pres. Duterte has already signed into law the measure amending the Public Service Act (PSA), saying this will help the economy recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It aids in leading the country to economic recovery from the ongoing public health crisis, according to Goking.
Pres. Duterte made the announcement during the ceremonial signing of the law and the presentation of other newly signed measures in Malacañang on Monday, March 21.
“As we seek to recover from the ongoing pandemic, it is useful to carefully study the steps to achieve a solution that does not burden employers and workers,” Goking said.
Goking said the local governments and emergency services should focus on immediate needs: likely by boosting capacity in hospitals, addressing hunger, and protecting firms and families from eviction and bankruptcy.
“Gikinahanglan usab ang makuting pagtuon sa kahimtang sa ekonomiya niining padayon ang panagbangi sa Russia ug Ukraine,” he added.
Goking, who also chair of the committee on ways and means, said Small businesses have more flexibility and can be started by almost anyone.
He added the global health crisis has greatly affected the economy, apparent in the tourism, and even in the marketable industry’s operation slowdown. (Ben Balce)
